Best Women’s Erotica of the Year, Volume 6

What I Think: So before we go into this delightful box of luscious, toe-curling tales, I should catch you up. I thought there was nothing as stressful as being a teacher but turned out I was wrong. There is nothing as stressful as moving apartments in the midst of a winter-induced Fibromyalgia flare. A flare that feels its okay to invite is mother disorder, Rheumatoid Arthritis to the party. Now, add that to doing this during my winter break and I reached stressful + more stress. The new year started very busily and excruciating for me but hey, I had books to soothe me at night and distract me from the new, weird pain in my lower back that trickles down my legs and makes my toes curl and not in the fun way. The central nervous system really is in the spine, isn’t it? And I didn’t have a Ben to even guide me through it. Tut tut. I deserve some candy. Moving on. This review is long overdue and it’s been haunting me so without further ado, let’s dive in!

This collection taught me new things as I came across differing kinks, some familiar but never really interested in them. Others totally new enough to send me researching (oooh, hoomewooork!). You already know I have always envied people who can have casual sex for its ease and ability to slake a thirst without unnecessary baggage but alas, I’m still hoping to learn it. These tales put a new spin on so many things and had me panting! From established couples to one night stands and all in between that turned sex into a primal power capable of slaying even our worst demons. They give women power, turning them into goddesses deserving of love and total ravishment. I felt a ping for each of these tales and it was so hard choosing which to highlight in my review. Let’s see if those I chose do it for you because they did for me.

New Years Chance – Shelly Bell: A teenage fantasy comes to life in the best way as crushes unserved come to fruition in an utterly delicious way, made even more so by the maturity of the couple and the end that had me chuckling. You can’t walk away from a fantasy like this. This here is how you ring in the new year. Hnm, I wonder what I need to do to ensure that I ring in 2023 properly.

Inked on my Skin – Naima Simone: This tale started out quite innocently and had me blinking to hold back the waterworks. A survivor’s tale wrapped in one of my favourite things. Then took said favorite thing and thrust it in a lust so immediate, I was as breathless as they were. The admissions torn from Esau’s throat lodged in mine until I found it hard to swallow. Best part? It was so real I felt I could see the sweat on them.

The 8th wonder of the world – Mia Hopkins: This tale had me cheering on the female lead! I held my breath as she stepped out of her comfort zone, then held my breath some more as she uses a method my mum taught me to will herself into the person she needs to be to break her habits. All while I hoped she wouldn’t lose her courage. Then her man floored me when the first thing he asked is what she liked. Nuff said.

Calyx- Margot Pierce: A very apt case of who wan die don jam who wan kill (the person seeking death has found the person seeking to kill), this one was a beautiful unravelling. You know, the kind that makes you gasp in surprise at what you found inside an otherwise plain paper bag. Calyx took my breath away with her self possessionand utter domination that was something she’d been denied for far too long. A domination that was oddly sweet and oh so romantic. Best part was an intimate encounter with a fetish I have often just laughed off. I wasn’t laughing by the end of this tale. No, Ma’am. Too busy fanning myself. Is it hot in here or what?

Cabinet Of Curiosities – Olivia Waite: As a woman who I was convinced would be a pushover (shows that you should never judge a book by its cover) goes against society and family to take her place beside a woman she’s always loved, my heart laughed and hollered with every page. This, ladies, gentlemen and those of you yet to make up your minds,is how you tell the world to kiss your ass! Which also reminds me that I really do need to become rich. You’ll just have to find out why. And, I know I have a thing for vintage and antiques but really those frothy and lacy yet oh so proper night gowns in those sweet and soft colours make my hands itch to unwrap them because they make the body underneath a present. Okay, stop drooling. From the size gap to the house to the Lady, everything about this tale was aimed to hit me and hit, it did.

Blues- Amy Glances: A re-telling of the mermaid tale with a twist, this one had me thinking on the crush I had on the Little Mermaid since the first time I saw her. Wait. I can’t be the first queer person to realise their queerness from watching Disney. I mean, I knew I loved thick, lush,soft curves fom falling in love with the full-figured muse in Hercules. But, this is a much more deliciously adult version of Ariel’s spicy sister. Yet, the part that really hooked me and kept this tale in my mind was her sailor’s parting shot. I’d pay to find out what she herself thought of it. There’s a problem though – how am I ever supposed to see mermaids as gorgeous yet terrifying when they can be this lust drunk?

The Conference – Ahuja Varghese: I dont know about you but I’m betting every single working woman has had a fantasy like this. Some of us have even craved it and I got it sprawled across these pages. My kind of woman unleashed to be confident in her sexual needs and the kind of partner that you know you’ll never forget capped with the sweetness of the chance that lust and attraction will lead to much much more. Perfect erotica!

The Instruction Manual – Alexis Wilder: This tale stayed with me for introducing me to a new kink and using an instruction manual in a way I never expected. Another problem arose – How do I read any instruction manual now without dirty thoughts? Ah, I just saw the ghost of my innocence fade to nothing.

Bonus Tale: Meat Cute – Jane Bauer: (The English teacher in me is cringing about starting a sentence with because but it fits! ) Because I am a meat lover with the firm belief that humans were meant to be omnivores (this doesn’t mean vegans or vegetarians are wrong. If it works for you and it ain’t broken, why change it?), I had to add this. The bond between carnal pleasure and the desire for flesh, the primal quality found in a woman who buried her carnality along with her appetite made this intensely sexy in a way that I still can’t decipher. Must be the meat, right?

Sweater Weather – Elia WInters: And finally, my best for last. One of my favorite fantasies spread out for the world to see. Ouch. And, no, no details. Remember I’m practicing how to sip the tears of my readers all genteel like, extended pinky and all? Read it!

Verdict: An emotionally powerful collection that turns desire into strength like you never knew it was, showing that accepting your inner sex idol brings a freedom that will change you forever!

This compilation of short stories whet the appetite for some new to me authors. While there were many stories that I liked and some not so much, each were well done with interesting storylines and solid characters. The overall theme of this collection had to do with adventure and each story did explore this with different sexual scenerios and/or kinks (although nothing hard core). If you like steam in your reading, this collection may uncover new erotic romance writers for you to try.

I received a free copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

The collection includes the editor’s introduction and 20 short stories. Most of the stories come in at about 10 to 15 pages. For this anthology, the editor asked her authors to get “adventurous,” and the authors delivered. The authors take the concept and run with it. Stories cover topics such as meeting an old crush, reality television shows, mermaids, magical realism, and some kink (OK, maybe just a bit more than just “some”). A strength of this anthology is the variety of topics and explorations the authors offer. Granted, as in many anthologies, some stories are better than others. For me, there were one or two stories that did not quite do it for me, but I am sure other readers may like them better. That is another strength of the book: odds are you’ll find a story or more that you’ll enjoy and that may stay with you well after reading them.

Overall, this is a very good and solid erotica anthology. If you’ve read and followed the series, you will likely enjoy this one as well. If this is your first entry, you’ll find much to like here. I do also recommend it for libraries that collect erotica. I really liked it, and I am glad to have read it

What I loved about this collection, well a few things, but the main thing is that each and every story gives you something different. Each scene is super hot, each story unique, and each complete in its’ telling. Contemporary, historical, paranormal, it’s in this collection. MF, FFM, FF, it’s in this collection. Married couple, divorced people, one-night stands, HFN, HEA’s, it is in this collection. Each story is one chapter, each will completely engage you. Some I loved, some I skimmed, all were good. These aren’t samplers, they are complete short stories, and it is definitely a great way to get a taste for an authour. I know I have a couple I will be looking up!

This review is for Inked on My Skin by Naima Simone.
She is one of my go to authors that never disappoints so I was very excited to read her submission for this anthology. And as always, I was not disappointed at all! This story is sexy, full of angst. It is a powerful, fantastic read.

Just when the endless boredom of physical distancing in this nu-normal pandemic world is about to mind numb another victim (me), out comes Rachel’s latest Volume 6 of my favorite annual series of short stories about love, lust & sexual imagination. So, if you need a life saver here is a mind relief vaccine I know you will enjoy. This is another refreshing collection of new & veteran erotic authors to titillate our imaginations again. Rachel never ceases to sparkle in finding us a delightful variety of stories.
1.) ‘New Year’s Chance’: A heart warming start to this years volume & life’s renewal beautifully written with subtle innuendos sprinkled throughout
2.) ‘ Inked On My Skin’: “Pain sizzles through me like flames across gasoline” / often a cover-up will uncover more than it hides
3.) ‘Change of Season’: Sometimes only a good spanking will fulfill what one really desires…
4.) ‘Cooling Off’: A mutual moment of voyeuristic sexual relief for two very hot young fire fighters
5.) ‘Spring Fling’: It’s truly lovely when an open marriage really works – it adds a spice that keeps the newness alive
6.) ‘The Eight Wonder of the World’: Story about when familiar sensations become new; like being “sunburned in a place that never sees sunlight”
7.) ‘Calyx’: In the art of foot fetish, “Kink Paralysis” – it takes me a minute…”
8.) ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’: A tale of rescued oddities collections
9.) ‘Blues’: Now who doesn’t love stories about mermaids??
10.) ‘The Conference’: Conventions are designed for personal networking …;
Maybe I could show you around he said as “she saw the kiss in his eyes before it traveled to his lips ”
11.) The Instruction Manual’: Some assembly required
12.) ‘Easy Ride’: The awakening: “setting the sole of my shoe onto his shoulder”
13.) ‘Sweater Weather’: We all carry such an interesting array of personal baggage in our suitcases – like our life diary
14.) ‘Meat Cute’: The most sensually luscious sausage you’ve ever devoured
15.) ‘Far Side of the World’: Wonderful welcome back to reality
16.) ‘Inflated Egos’: Fun with balloons
17.) ‘Magia’: If you ever wander beyond the limits of safety you may end up visiting the twilight zone dimension
18.) ‘Adult Time’: Just enjoy the moment
19.) ‘Cream’: A little masturbation variety can go a long way
20.) ‘The Escape Room’: A gift for someone who has everything